Drew Sanders gets around the edge in the Razorbacks' game against South Carolina September 10 in Fayetteville.

By Otis Kirk

FAYETTEVILLE -- In a double dose of news on the defensive side of the football Arkansas has lost its defensive coordinator and key linebacker.

Barry Odom has accepted the head coaching job at UNLV. He replaces Marcus Arroyo who was fired. Odom was linked to the Tulsa head coach opening, but negotiations broke down. Odom was previously the head coach at Missouri for four years prior to coming to Arkansas. He was 25-25 in that stretch.

After one season at Arkansas, linebacker Drew Sanders has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He won't play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Sanders transferred to Arkansas from Alabama. Sanders topped the Hogs in tackles with 103 including 40 solo and 13.5 for loss. Sanders also had 9.5 sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, six quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and a recovered one. 

Sanders ranks as the No. 17 player on Mel Kiper’s ESPN Board and is the No. 1 inside linebacker. His play at Arkansas helped his stock tremendously. In two years with the Tide, Sanders played in 25 games with three starts. He had 33 tackles, 16 solo, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.